NTT is deploying a pilot private LTE/5G and Wi-Fi network for specialty chemicals company Albemarle Corporation at the company’s lithium mine in Kings Mountain, North Carolina.
Global communication is a priority for Albemarle, as it operates mining and manufacturing facilities across three continents, particularly when it became challenging for its engineers located elsewhere to visit Albemarle’s sites due to Covid-19 travel restrictions. The pair suggested that private LTE/5G will address this challenge by enabling the company to enhance its hybrid and remote working process and reduce the amount of travel needed to operate.
“To enable collaboration and digital applications at our mining and processing sites, we require widespread, high-speed connectivity,” said Chuck Holley, global manager of IT network infrastructure at Albemarle. “A private LTE/5G network is a great way we can do this cost-effectively, and NTT was our first choice to pilot a design, prove the technology and show the value. With a private LTE/5G network, we’re able to continue to seek out innovative solutions to some of our most pressing challenges.”
The chemicals company is also hoping to use the private network for security and high-performance use cases, as well as improve coverage for IoT devices.
“A private LTE/5G network will continue to transform business outcomes in mission-critical environments for Albemarle, and this is just the start of their journey,” commented Parm Sandhu, vice president of enterprise 5G products and services. “We look forward to working closely with the manufacturer as it continues to digitally transform its business for the future.”
If the Kings Mountain pilot is successful, Albemarle plans to roll out the network to additional sites.
